There’s something wonderfully indulgent about a silky, creamy chocolate mousse that melts in your mouth—and the best part? You can make it with just two simple ingredients. This 2 Ingredient Chocolate Mousse Recipe is not only quick and fuss-free but also surprisingly elegant, perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This recipe has quickly become one of my favorites because it’s so straightforward and turns out irresistibly smooth every single time. It’s one of those desserts that feels luxurious but doesn’t demand hours or a long list of ingredients.
- Minimal Ingredients: Just semi-sweet chocolate and heavy cream create a rich and decadent mousse with ease.
- Quick to Make: You can whip up this dessert in under fifteen minutes, plus chilling time.
- Versatile Flavor: Use different chocolates to tailor sweetness and intensity to your mood.
- Impressively Elegant: Despite its simplicity, it looks and tastes like a gourmet treat.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Having only two ingredients means choosing the best quality ones really pays off here. The cream adds the perfect light, airy structure, while the chocolate gives rich flavor and smooth texture—together, they balance perfectly.
- Semi-sweet Chocolate: I like using around 50% cocoa content for a nice bittersweet kick, but feel free to tweak it. Breaking it into smaller pieces helps it melt evenly.
- Heavy Cream: Make sure it’s well chilled—this is key so it whips up nicely and holds its shape.
Make It Your Way
This 2 Ingredient Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a brilliant base for playing around. Sometimes I add a pinch of espresso powder for depth or sprinkle a little orange zest on top to brighten it up. Don’t be shy—make it your own!
- Variation: I’ve swapped out half the semi-sweet chocolate for milk chocolate before, which gives a sweeter, creamier version that’s a hit with kids.
Step-by-Step: How I Make 2 Ingredient Chocolate Mousse Recipe
Step 1: Melt the Chocolate into Ganache Magic
Start by breaking your semi-sweet chocolate into a heat-safe bowl. Warm 1 cup of heavy cream just until it simmers—those tiny bubbles along the edges are your sign. Pour this hot cream gently over the chocolate, cover it, and then wait patiently for 2-3 minutes. I usually whip the remaining cream during this time to save steps. After resting, stir gently to get a smooth and glossy ganache. If you're left with chunks, a brief 10-15 second zap in the microwave clears things right up. Let this mixture cool slightly before moving forward—hot ganache can deflate your whipped cream.
Step 2: Whip That Cream to Soft Peaks
This next step is crucial: whip the remaining 1 ½ cups of cold heavy cream until soft peaks form. What does that mean? When you lift the whisk, the cream should hold a peak but then gently droop back—like a fluffy cloud that’s just a bit shy. Stop here! Overwhipping turns it grainy and will mess with the mousse texture.
Step 3: Fold with Patience and Love
Gently fold a third of your whipped cream into the cooled ganache. Take your time here, using a rubber spatula to carefully combine without smashing all the air out. Then, fold this combined mixture into the remaining whipped cream with the same gentle touch. This step determines how airy and fluffy your mousse will be, so slow and steady wins the race. If you spot any lumps after folding, gently press them down with the spatula—they’ll blend in perfectly.
Step 4: Chill and Serve
Divide your luscious mousse into individual cups or a big serving dish. Pop it in the fridge for at least 3 hours—this chilling time is crucial for the mousse to set beautifully. Before serving, you can dress it up with a swirl of whipped cream or a sprinkle of shaved chocolate.
Top Tip
From my many attempts and joyful experiments making this 2 Ingredient Chocolate Mousse Recipe, a few simple tricks can make a huge difference in the final texture and taste.
- Warm Cream, Not Boiling: I’ve learned overheating the cream can cause the ganache to seize or become grainy. Just bring it to a gentle simmer, never a rolling boil.
- Chill Your Whisk and Bowl: Especially in warm kitchens, chilling your mixing bowl and beaters helps the cream whip faster and holds peaks better.
- Gentle Folding Technique: Think of folding like tucking in a delicate baby—slow and tender to keep as much air as possible.
- Rest the Ganache: Letting the ganache cool before mixing it with whipped cream is a game changer—it keeps your mousse airy instead of dense.
How to Serve 2 Ingredient Chocolate Mousse Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping this mousse with a dollop of freshly whipped cream and a generous dusting of grated dark chocolate or cocoa powder. Sometimes, I add a few fresh raspberries or mint leaves for a pop of color and freshness—it really lifts the whole dessert.
Side Dishes
Serve alongside a crisp biscotti, buttery shortbread cookies, or even a handful of toasted nuts for a delightful textural contrast. A fresh fruit salad on the side also pairs beautifully to balance the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve layered the mousse with crushed cookies or fresh berries in glass parfait cups—it looks stunning and feels like a fancy treat. You can also pipe the mousse into mini tart shells and chill for bite-sized indulgences.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover mousse keeps beautifully in the fridge, covered tightly with plastic wrap, for up to 3 days. I find it tastes just as fresh if you give a quick gentle stir before serving to revive the fluffiness.
Freezing
Freezing mousse is a bit tricky because the texture can change. When I tried it, I found it best to freeze in individual portions and thaw overnight in the fridge. The mousse loses a tiny bit of its lightness but still tastes delicious.
Reheating
This dessert is best served cold and doesn’t require reheating. If your mousse softens during storage, just give it a gentle whisk and pop it back in the fridge to firm up before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Milk chocolate will make your mousse sweeter and creamier. Just keep in mind it changes the flavor profile, so adjust to your sweetness preference.
Stop whipping when soft peaks form—that means when you lift the whisk, peaks hold their shape but gently fall back. It’s important not to overbeat or you’ll end up with butter.
Yes, making it a day ahead is ideal! The mousse needs at least 3 hours to set, and resting overnight in the fridge actually helps deepen the flavors.
Use a rubber spatula and gently cut through the mixture with a slow folding motion. The goal is to combine without knocking out air, so slow, patient movements are key.
Final Thoughts
Making this 2 Ingredient Chocolate Mousse Recipe has become my go-to when I want a dessert that feels fancy without the fuss. The ease, the creamy texture, the rich chocolate—it all comes together so beautifully. I encourage you to try it, experiment with your favorite chocolates, and enjoy how effortlessly it impresses. Trust me, once you have this in your repertoire, you’ll keep coming back to it time and again.
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2 Ingredient Chocolate Mousse Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: French
Description
This easy 2 Ingredient Chocolate Mousse recipe combines rich semi-sweet chocolate and whipped heavy cream to create a smooth, fluffy, and decadent dessert. With minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, it’s a perfect quick treat that can be chilled and served for elegant occasions or casual indulgence.
Ingredients
Chocolate
- 300g semi-sweet chocolate (~50% cocoa, or a mixture of milk and dark)
Cream
- 2 ½ cup heavy cream (600g), chilled and divided into 1 cup (240g) and 1 ½ cup (360g)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ganache: Break the chocolate into a heat-safe bowl. Heat 1 cup (240g) of heavy cream in a saucepan over medium flame until it just starts to simmer, with bubbles forming around the edges. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate, ensuring it covers all the pieces. Cover the bowl with a lid or plate and wait 2-3 minutes while you can start whipping the remaining cream. After 5 minutes, gently stir with a spoon until the chocolate fully melts and combines with the cream into a smooth, shiny ganache. If unmelted chocolate remains, microwave the mixture for 10-15 seconds until smooth. Let the ganache rest for 5 minutes.
- Whip the Cream: Pour the remaining 1 ½ cup (360g) heavy cream into a large bowl straight from the fridge. Use an electric hand mixer to whisk until soft to medium peaks form—thick enough to hold shape partially, creating ribbons behind the beaters and soft peaks that slowly fall when lifted. Stop whisking immediately at this stage to avoid overwhipping.
- Fold Ganache Into Whipped Cream: Add about one third of the whipped cream to the cooled ganache. Use a rubber spatula to very gently and slowly fold it in, being careful not to deflate the mixture. When mostly combined, add this mixture back into the remaining whipped cream and continue folding slowly and gently until fully combined into a smooth and fluffy mousse. Press down on any lumps with the spatula to break them up. Avoid overmixing to maintain airiness.
- Chill and Serve: Divide the mousse evenly into dessert cups or your preferred serving dish. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours until set. Optionally, garnish with extra whipped cream and grated chocolate before serving. Enjoy your rich and airy chocolate mousse!
Notes
- Keep the mousse refrigerated and cold for the best texture and stability.
- Use high-quality semi-sweet chocolate with around 50% cocoa for optimal flavor.
- Be gentle when folding to keep the mousse light and airy.
- Whipping cream to soft-medium peaks is key—avoid whipping too far or it will become too stiff.
- If any unmelted chocolate remains after mixing with hot cream, use short microwave bursts to avoid overheating.
- This mousse can be made ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 30 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
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